European Journal of Surgical Oncology
Volume 33, Issue 1 , Pages 1-6, February 2007

The role of 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the management of patients with colorectal cancer

  • E. Pelosi

      Affiliations

    • Centro PET, IRMET s.p.a., Torino, Italy
    • SCDU Medicina Nucleare, ASO S. Giovanni Battista, C.so Dogliotti 14, 10126 Torino, Italy
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Centro PET IRMET, Via Onorato Vigliani 89/A, 10126 Torino, Italy. Tel.: +39 11 31 60 158; fax: +39 11 31 60 828.
    • ,
  • D. Deandreis

      Affiliations

    • SCDU Medicina Nucleare, ASO S. Giovanni Battista, C.so Dogliotti 14, 10126 Torino, Italy
    • Tel.: +39 11 6335023.

Accepted 11 October 2006.

Abstract 

Aim

In patients with colorectal cancer an accurate diagnostic work-up is mandatory in order to perform the most specific treatment. At this moment 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is considered an accurate imaging technique in staging/restaging several malignancies. The aim of this paper is to review the scientific literature available about the role of FDG-PET in the management of patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

An overview on Medline of scientific literature concerning FDG-PET and colorectal cancer was performed. The most relevant studies are reported. Advantages, limitations and new chances in using FDG-PET in these subsets of patients are summarized.

Results

FDG-PET is a useful tool in the evaluation of colorectal cancer. In comparison to conventional imaging technique, FDG-PET has an additional diagnostic value because it allows to metabolically characterize undetermined lesions suspected for recurrence of disease, to perform a complete pre-surgical staging and to identify occult metastatic disease. In clinical practice its use leads to a change in therapeutic choices in a high percentage of cases.

Conclusions

FDG-PET should be considered an essential diagnostic tool in the management of patients with colorectal cancer, especially in recurrent disease evaluation.

Keywords: FDG-PET, PET/CT, Colorectal cancer, Liver metastases

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0748-7983(06)00406-9

doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2006.10.020

European Journal of Surgical Oncology
Volume 33, Issue 1 , Pages 1-6, February 2007

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution